The A to Z of Occupational Therapy: So Much More Than You Think!

At Shoalhaven Occupational Therapy, we love to show how diverse, creative, and life-changing OT can be—and what better way to celebrate that than with our A to Z of Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is all about helping people do the things that matter most to them—whether that’s getting dressed independently, going to work, enjoying time with friends, or feeling safe and confident in their home environment. From babies to older adults, from classrooms to kitchens, from hands-on therapy to assistive tech—OTs are there to support people at every stage of life.

Here’s a little insight into some of the areas our OTs work in, inspired by the A to Z you’ll see in our images:

🔤 A is for Assistive Technology – From pencil grips to powered wheelchairs, we help clients access the right tools to support their goals.

🧠 B is for Brain Injury – Our therapists help clients re-learn everyday skills and adapt their routines after trauma or illness.

🏠 C is for Community Access – Whether it’s joining a local group or navigating public transport, OTs build confidence in the community.

✋ D is for Daily Living Skills – Dressing, cooking, cleaning, shopping—we work with clients to develop independence in daily routines.

🧸 E is for Emotional Regulation – We support children and adults with strategies to understand and manage big feelings.

🎨 F is for Fine Motor Skills – From handwriting to buttoning a shirt, we strengthen coordination and hand control.

🌿 G is for Gardening and Hobbies – Meaningful activities bring purpose and joy. We support participation in leisure and recreation.

🧍‍♀️ H is for Home Modifications – We assess homes and recommend changes to make them safer and more accessible.

🎓 I is for Inclusion – OT is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to participate fully in life, no matter their ability.

🗣 J is for Joint Sessions – We often work alongside speech pathologists, psychologists, physios, and educators for wholistic care.

📚 K is for Kindergarten Readiness – We help little ones develop the skills they need to thrive in the classroom.

🧠 L is for Learning Supports – We help children with learning difficulties through sensory supports, executive functioning strategies, and more.

🌍 M is for Mental Health – We support people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional distress.

🏃‍♂️ N is for Neurodiversity – OT celebrates diverse ways of thinking, processing, and being. We support strengths-based, person-centred approaches.

💻 O is for Online Therapy – Telehealth makes therapy accessible no matter where you live!

🎯 P is for Participation – Everything we do is to help people participate in the life they want to live.

👨‍👩‍👧 Q is for Quality of Life – From reducing pain to increasing connection, our work aims to improve wellbeing.

🚗 R is for Road Safety and Driving – For some adults, OT assessments help determine safe return to driving or alternatives for independence.

🤸 S is for Sensory Processing – We support kids and adults with sensory needs using tailored strategies and sensory diets.

🎯 T is for Therapy Goals – All therapy is guided by meaningful, functional goals set by the client and their family.

🤝 U is for Understanding Needs – We take time to listen, observe, and assess each client’s unique strengths and challenges.

🐶 V is for Visits with Therapy Animals – Animal-assisted therapy supports emotional regulation, confidence, and connection.

📅 W is for Work and Vocation – We help adults return to work, change jobs, or adapt the workplace to meet their needs.

👣 X is for eXploration – OT is all about trying new things and building new skills in safe, supported ways.

📈 Y is for Your Progress – We celebrate every small win and review goals regularly to track what’s working best.

💬 Z is for Zones of Regulation – We use evidence-based tools like this to teach kids how to manage emotions and energy levels.

Whether you're just discovering occupational therapy or have worked with an OT before, we hope this A to Z gives you a fresh look at the many ways OTs make a difference every day.

👉 Want to learn more about how OT can help you or someone you care about? Contact us today to make a referral: Make a Referral